I >- 

reTort  l , 


or 


THE  TRUSTEES  £2^ 


OF  TUB 


HAMPSHIRE  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 


MADE  AT  THEIR 


ANNUAL  MEETING 

IN 

NORTHAMPTON, 

THE  LAST  THURSDAY  IN  AUGUST,  1806. 


TO  WHICH  IS  ANNEXED, 

A 


SERMON, 


DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  SOCIETY. 


By  Rev.  JONATHAN  L.  POMEROY 


OF  WORTHINGTON. 


NORTHAMPTON  : 

PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  BUTLER, 
1 806. 


REPORT,  &c. 


JT HE  TRUSTEES  would  inform  the  Society, 
that  the  Miflionaries,  employed  the  laft  year,  completed 
their  refpeflive  Millions  without  any  fpecial  inconven- 
ience and  with  honor  to  themfelves,  and  with  advantage 
and  fuccefs  to  the  common  caufe. 

Rev.  Meflrs.  Payfon  Willifton  and  Thomas  H.  Wood, 
labored  in  the  counties  of  Onondago  and  Chenango  ; 
each  of  them  fifteen  weeks.  Mr.  Wood  rode  1400 
miles,  preached  70  fermons,  adminiltered  the  Lord’s  fup- 
per  once,  baptifm  15  times,  vifited  11  Schools  and 
about  300  families,  attended  feveral  conferences  and 
diftributed  the  Society’s  books  as  he  had  opportunity 
and  found  there  w’as  need. 

Mr.  Willifton  was  not  lefs  aftive,  laborious  and 
faithful  in  performing  the  feveral  parts  of  his  Million. 

Rev.  Royal  Phelps  performed  a Million  to  the  well- 
ward  of  only  8 weeks.  From  his  journal  it  appears  that 
he  had  a truly  millionary  fpirit  and  labored  without 
ceafing,  and  to  much  effedl.  Thefe  miflionaries,  wffio 
have  entirely  approved  themfelves  to  the  Trullets,  allure 
you  of  the  refpecl  with  which  they  were  commonly 
treated  ; of  the  readinefs  (hewn  to  hear  the  word  preach- 
ed ; to  receive  more  private  infiru&ion  and  attend  confer- 
ences for  religious  converfation.  Their  fervices  were 
gratefully  acknowledged.  A repetition  of  fimilar  ones 
earnefily  requelled,  millionary  intlitutions  highly  efiimated 
and  their  benevolent  exertions  almolt  every  wherelthank- 
fully  owned.  Often  it  was  difficult  for  the  people  to  utter 
all  which  they  wilhed  and  experienced.  In  divers  places 
an  hearing  ear  was  granted.  The  hearers  hung  on  the 
lios  of  the  animated  fpeaker  ; eager  to  hear,  defirous  to 


[ 4 3 

improve,  flow  to  depart  and  ready  to  return.  Impreffions 
were  made  by  the  truth,  faithfully  and  powerfully  preach- 
ed, which,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  permanent.  The  Holy 
Spirit  working  effe&ually  with  the  word  ; renewing  the 
heart  and  reforming  the  life.  They  ftate  that  fuch  is  the 
deftituteand  helplefs  condition  of  many  of  the  new  fetlle- 
ments  that  they  hill  greatly  and  probably  will  long  need 
all  which  the  funds  of  this  fociety,  and  other  focieties 
will  be  able  to  do  for  their  relief.  Many  of  the  infant- 
plantations  are  fmall  and  fcattered  : fome  of  them  are 
divided  in  their  religious  opinions,  and  fome  are  broken  by 
fharp  and  unchriflian  contentions.  Meffrs.  Williflon  and 
Wood  had  a friendly  interview  with  the  New-Stockbridge 
Indians,  under  the  iinmediate  care  of  the  Rev.  John 
Sergeant.  Something  was  faid  relative  to  a million 
among  fome  remote  tribes  of  Indians  ; particularly  the 
Miami  and  Delaware.  Tho’  at  prefem  your  funds  are 
fmall  and  tho’  few  are  qualified  and  inclined  to  under- 
take fuch  a million  and  tho’  yet  little  is  doing,  the  friends 
of  fouls  are  earneflly  looking  for  the  time  when  a wider 
door  rnay  be  opened  to  preach  to  the  natives  the  ever- 
lafting  gofpel  of  the  blefied  God  and  our  Saviour. 

Rev.  Meffrs.  Jofeph  Field,  Samuel  Sewall  and  John 
Dutton  fulfilled  a million  in  the  whole  of  fifty-four  weeks, 
in  the  counties  of  Oxford  and  Kennebec  in  the  diftrift 
of  Maine.  Mr.  Field  preached  83  times;  35  on  the 
Lord’s  day  and  48  on  other  days  ; adnriniltered  the 
Lord’s  fupper  four  times  and  feven  baptifms,  infpe&ed 
fchools  and  attended  funerals-  Mr.  Sewall  rode  nearly 
i40omiles,  preached  133  fermons,  vilired  private  fam- 
ilies, attended  conferences,  and  performed  other  miflion- 
ary  labors. 

Mr.  Dutton  was  equally  difpofed  and  enabled  to  dif- 
charge  the  important  trull  committed  to  him.  They 
rendered  ufeful  fervices  to  the  fociety  ; their  labors  were 
gratefully  received  and  crowned  with  fuccefs.  All  your 
millionaries  agree  in  the  utility  and  neccffity  of  continuing 


C 5 3 

ihefc  millions,  of  increaCng  the  number  of  laborers  and 
pontra&ing  the  field  of  labor. 

The  laborers  being  few  and  theik  harved  plenteous, 
and  defirous  of  doing  more  good,  the  field  of  labor  may 
be  improperly  extended  and  the  propofed  efleCt  diminilli- 
ed.  Every  thing  cannot  be  effected  and  fliould  not  be 
attempted  by  a few  perfons  in  a fliort  time,  embracing  a 
large  extent  of  territory  in  their  commiffion.  Fearing 
led  they  fhould  not  do  what  is  expe&ed  and  allotted 
them  ; they  are  induced  to  pafs  rapidly  from  place  to 
place,  and  leflen  their  miniderial  fervices.  They  cannot 
do  what  they  would.  Could  three  obje&s  be  gained  ; 
an  increafe  of  miflionaries,  a contraction  of  their  limits 
and  a lengthning  of  their  millions  much  greater  good 
would  be  effected.  At  prefent  neceflity  rediains  your 
operations.  Providence  may  in  time  remove  thefe  diffi- 
culties, brighten  your  profpeCts,  and  enlarge  your  funds 
and  furnifii  fufficient  numbers  to  preach  in  remote  parts 
the  unfearchable  riches  of  Christ,  to  the  indruCtion, 
converlion  and  falvation  of  many  thoufands  of  precious 
and  immortal  fouls.  Larger  contributions  have  been 
made  to  the  funds  in  the  new  fettlements  the  lad  year, 
than  before. 

The  Trudees  at  their  lad  annual  meeting  appropriated 
for  the  prefent  year,  for  millions  a fum  not  exceeding  900 
dolls,  and  for  books  the  fum  of  400  dollars.  You  have 
now  five  miflionaries  in  your  employment — Rev.  Melds. 
Jofeph  Blodget,  David  H.  Willidou,  John  Dutton,  Roy- 
al Phelps  and  Nathaniel  Dutton.  Melds.  Blodget, 
Willidon  and  John  Dutton,  are  employed  in  Oxford  and 
Kennebec  counties,  for  fifty  weeks  in  the  whole.  Melds. 
Phelps  and  Nathaniel  Dutton,  are  employed  in  Ononda- 
go  and  Chenango  counties  and  on  the  Black-river  for 
fifty-two  weeks,  making  in  the  whole  102  weeks  fervice 
lor  856  dollars. 

As  yet  but  a few  communications  have  been  received 
from  the  miflionaries.  Thofe  which  have  been  are  of  an 
~ encouraging  and  plealing  nature.  As  in  former  years  the 


i 


[ 6 ] 

Truftees  in  this,  have  attended  to  the  diftribunon  o t 
books.  They  conceive  that  this  objeft  claims  juft  and 
much  attention  and  muft  claim  it  in  future.  In  this 
way  continual  and  rich  inftru&ion  is  eafily,  cheaply, 
and  extenfively  diffufed.  The  books  which  have  been 
fent  this  year  to  be  diftributed  will  appear  by  document 
(A)  as  will  thofe  which  are  now  on  hand. 

Availing  themfelves  of  a large  impreffion  of  Vincent’s 
Explanation,  of  the  Afflmbly’s  Calechifm , a very  valuable 
work,  made  at  the  defire  of  feveral  Affociations,  the 
Truftees  have  taken  for  the  Society’s  benefit  700  copies 
at  a very  reafonable  price  ; one  hundred  and  fixty  of 
which  have  been  exchanged  for  2,000  Iheets  of  Trafts 
and  other  works  proper  for  diftribution.  Bound  with 
Vincent,  is  a well  written  addrefs  on  the  fubje£t  of  prayer 
and  family  religion,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Trumbull.  The  neat 
profits  of  a good  work,  called  the  Panoplijl , arifing 
from  the  fales  in  this  county,  have  been  offered  by  the 
Editors  for  your  benefit  ; and  will  add  between  70  and 
100  dollars  to  your  funds.  The  Truftees  ftate  that  fev- 
eral donations  have  been  made  by  individuals,  well  wifh- 
ers  to  the  caufe.  flon.  William  Phillips,  Efq.  of  Bof- 
ton,  has  made  one  of  fifty  dollars  $ which  has  been  ac- 
knowledged in  a letter  of  thanks  addreffed  to  him. — 
Liberal  fums  have  been  received  this  year  from  the  Fe- 
male Affociation  : as  document  (B)  fliews.  It  is 
believed  tha^  many  ftreams  will  yet  flow  from  that  fource 
into  your  treafury  which  will  benefit  and  rejoice  thofe 
who  need  and  defire  pious  inftruftion.  The  charitable 
contributions  made  at  different  times  fiuce  the  laft  meet- 
ing have  increafed  the  funds.  The  annuities  have  been 
generally  tho’  not  wholly  paid.  Various  reafons  may 
have  produced  a temporary  delay.  Seafonable  pay> 
ments  areufeful  and  enriching  to  the  funds  : as  monies, 
not  loon  needed,  are  loaned.  The  monies  which  have 
been  received  for  the  funds,  will  appear  from  document 
(B&  C)  being  1303  dolls.  3+  1-2  cts.  The  expenditures 
from  document  (D)  amounting  to  1 142  dolls.  53  1-2  cts. 


[ 7 ] 

The  prefent  flare  of  the  Treafury  with  tho  report  of 
the  Auditing  Committee  from  document  (E.) 

The  Truftees  hope  they  can  fay,  Hitherto  hath  the 
Lord  owned  and  profpered  the  inflitution.  Many  have 
been  difpofed  to  advance  this  great  and  good  work. — 
While  fome  have  readily  honored  the  Lord  with  their 
fubftance,  and  repeatedly  confecrated  a part  ot  their 
earthly  treafures  to  charitable  ufes  ; others  have  been 
found  and  inclined  to  carry  into  full  effeft,  the  benevo- 
lent deGgns  of  the  Society.  The  liberal  aid  afforded 
by  numerous  female  affociations  for  the  purchafe  of  Bi- 
bles and  other  fuitable  books,  fhould  not  be  forgotten 
and  fuppreffed.  No  fmall  praife  is  due  to  God  for 
this  very  thing.  It  is  what  might  have  been  looked  for 
from  the  readinefs  of  pious  and  charitable  women  to  do 
good  ; from  their  compaffion  for  fotils  and  their  earnefl 
defire  to  fpread  the  truth. 

The  prefent  flate  of  the  funds  will  not  let  us  doubt  of 
being  able  to  furnifh  future  fupplies  for  our  diflant  fet- 
tlements.  But,  fince  continued  efforts  require  continued 
fupplies,  the  friends  of  Christ  and  humanity  will  not 
difeontinue  them.  Having  begun  well,  they  will  go  on 
and  further  the  important  defign.  Many  confiderations 
will  powerfully  refill  fainting  and  wearinefs  in  this  accept- 
able fervice  of  chriflian  Love.  It  will  be  ufeful  frequent- 
ly to  recoiled  how  many  focieties  of  chriflians  are  en- 
gaged in  this  work.  With  what  views,  in  what  ways 
and  to  what  glorious  purpofes  they  purfue  it : How  their 
love  and  zeal,  their  faith  and  hope  grow  exceedingly. 
Plans  are  ripened,  means  provided  and  inftruments  fur- 
nifhed  to  undertake  very  laborious,  difficult  and  hazar- 
dous enterprizes  in  the  caufe  of  the  dear  Immanuel.  In 
Europe  this  work  is  purfued  with  unremitted  afliduity 
and  unabated  zeal,  with  fanguine  expe&ation  and  ever 
memorable  fuccefs.  In  this  country  too,  the  fame  fpirit, 
kindled  from  above,  glows,  fpreads  and  flrengthens. 
Almofl  throughout  the  United  States  fimilar  focieties  are 
formed,  meafures  adopted,  monies  collected  and  perfons 


C 8 j 

Employed  to  fpread  the  favor  of  divine  truth  far  afic! 
wide.  The  gofpel  of  Christ  is  thus  preached  to  mul- 
titudes who,  without  fuch  benevolent  aid,  would  live 
deflitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  plunge  deep  into  ig- 
norance and  error  and  probably  tranfmit  a dreadful  and 
odious  inheritance  of  ignorance,  error  and  corruption  to 
their  poflerity.  It  is  not  eafy  for  thofe,  who  have  been 
always  favored  with  a fulnefs  of  religious  advantages, 
duly  to  eflimate  their  own  mercies  or  keenly  feel 
for  their  brethren  famifliing  for  wUnt  of  the  bread 
of  life. 

It  is  refrefhing  and  animating  to  dwell  upon  the 
good  already  produced.  The  folitary  place  hath  been 
made  glad  and  in  the  defert  they  have  fung  the  fongs  of 
Zion.  Churches  have  been  planted,  mmiilers  fettled 
and  the  word  and  inflitutions  of  Christ  have  proved 
the  power  of  God  and  the  wifdom  ol  God  unto  the 
fpiritual  good  of  perifhing  finners.  The  eyes  of  the  blind 
have  been  opened,  and  the  ears  of  the  deaf  have  been 
unflopped  ; the  lame  have  leaped,  and  the  dumb  have 
fung  the  praifes  of  redeeming  love.  Chriflians  have  been 
edifyed,  quickened,  comforted  and  fanttifyed  by  the  truth, 
ordinances,  and  grace  of  Chrifl.  This  is  the  work  of 
God  ; wondrous  and  joyous  to  our  minds  and  hearts. 

It  is  an  high  honor  to  be  workers  together  with  God 
in  forwarding  the  work  of  redemption,  in  building  up 
Zion,  in  bringing  finners  to  the  knowledge  and  obedience 
of  the  faith,  and  preparing  them  for  immortal  bleflednefs. 

It  is  well  to  reflett  that  much  remains  to  be  done  ; that 
much  may  be  done  by  good  people  ; that  much  is  ex- 
petted  of  them  ; that  for  this  purpofe  God  bellows  his 
bounties  ; that  all  which  they  and  others  call  their  own 
is  the  Lord’s  ; that  he  demands  a portion  of  what  he 
gives,  for  his  more  immediate  ufe.  Such  an  application 
is  acceptable ; an  odour  of  a fweet  fuelling  favor  unto 
God.  He  can  abundantly  blefs  you  for  your  labors  of 
love  in  his  caufe.  He  can  conflantly  fatisfy  liberal  and 
holy  fouls  from  his  own  all-fulhciency  and  the  inexhaufli- 


[ 9 1 

• ? , , * i . 

ble  fallncfs  of  Jefus  Chrift.  Animated  by  fuch  powerful 
considerations  ; impelled  by  fuch  weighty  motives  will 
not  the  friends  of  Chrifl  and  of  mankind  perfevere  ii; 
their  prayers  and  liberalities,  their  fervices  and  efforts  un- 
till, by  the  grace  of  God,  the  wilderriefs  (hall  univerfally 
become  like  Eden  and  the  defert  like  the  garden  of  the 
Lord  ? 

The  Truflees  fuggeft  to  the  Society  the  expediency  of 
recommending  t®  the  feverai  congregational  and  prefby- 
terian  Societies  in  the  county,  a contribution  to  aid  the 
funds  of  the  Society,  to  be  made  on  the  annual  Thanks- 
giving, or  on  fome  Lord’s  day  near,  as  fhall  be  judged 
mod  eligible  ; and  that  this  Report  fhould  be  publifhed, 
Circulated  and  previoufly  read  in  public.  While  doing 
good  to  others  you  may  humbly  hope  that  God,  who  both 
minifters  feed  to  the  Sower  and  bread  to  the  eater,  will  not 
let  you  lack  any  good  thing  ; and  that  he  will  increafe  the 
fruits  of  your  righteoufnefs  ; that  you  may  be  enriched 
unto  all  bountifulnefs  ; for  which  liberality  of  yours  ma- 
ny thanksgivings  will  be  rendered  unto  God  through  our 
T-ord  Jefus  Chrift. 

In  the  name  of  the  Truflees , 

SAMUEL  HOPKINS,  Vice  P reft  dent. 

At  a meeting  of  the  Society,  Northampton,  Augufl  28, 
1806,  read,  accepted  and  voted  to  be  printed,  diftributed 
and  publicly  read,  as  reported  by  the  Truftees  to  the  So- 
ciety. 

Aitejl,  PAYSON  WILLISTON,  Rec’g.  Sccr’y, 

B 


' 

..  : .V-  ll.-IM  w.ijqS;  . M 

* 

V1'— - a*J 

■ 


- Vi  *.  'I  v.  vyw  ..  I 


‘ 


C ” ] 

DOCUMENT  A. 

Books  Cent  for  di/lribution  into  the  neivfettlements , 1806. 

No. 

BIBLES, 

72 

SeleCt  Sermons, 

15 

Doddridge’s  Rife. 

45 

Addrefs  to  the  Matter, 

124 

Lathrop’s  6 Seimons, 

30 

on  the  Chrittian  Sabbath, 

11 2 

on  the  Church, 

1 

Religious  Tradefman 

3 

Connecticut  Evangelical  Magazine, 

120 

Hem.  dif.  to  children, 

Addrefs  to  a Stranger, 

6r 

Beft  way  to  defend  the  Bible, 

88 

Watts’  divine  Songs, 

100 

Advice  to  a young  man, 

21 

Coleman’s  Incomprehenfiblcnefs, 

10 

Catechifms, 

24 

Davidfon’s  real  Chrittian, 

2 + 

All's  for  the  bett, 

25 

Emerfon's  Ordination  Sermon, 

3° 

Hale’s  Sermon, 

65 

Report  for  1802, 

8 

for  1803, 

40 

for  1804, 

50 

for  1805, 

60 

Inftruftions  & Addrefs, 

40 

Plain  Truths, 

r 

Porteus, 

1 

Jofeph’s  difcovering  himfelf, 

1 

Vivian’s  dialogues, 

Whitaker’s  Addrefs, 

2 

Bowie’s  laft  Illnefs, 

3 

Life  of  Faith, 

23 

Drop  of  Honey, 

1 

Vincent, 

/ 

Whole, 

*392 

Lijl  of  Books  on  hand , 

I 806 

No. 

SeleCl  Sermons, 

16 

Doddridge’s  Rife  & 

276 

do.  on  the  care  of  the  Soul, 

39° 

do.  Addrefs  to  the  matter 

627 

[ 12  ] 

Latlirop’s  6 Sermons,  1 20 

do.'  on  the  Cliriftian  Sabbath,  458 

Connecticut  Evangelical  Magazine,  360 

Hemmenway’s  Difcourfe  to  Children,  61 

Beft  way  to  defend  the  Bible,  178 

Watts’  Divine  Song$,  570 

Coleman’s  Incomprehenfiblenefs,  40 

Davidfon’s  real  Chriftian,  25 

Hale’s  Sermon,  65 

Report  for  1802,  j$ 

for  1803,  . 78 

for  1804,  150 

for  1805,  210 

InftruCtions  and  addrefs  241 

Vincent,  • 468 


Whole  " 4331 


DOCUMENT  B.  & C. 

Increafe  of  the  funds  of  the  Hampfhire  Miffionary  Society,  from 
Auguji  29,  1805,  to  Augujl  28,  1806. 

Donations  of  the  Female  Charitable  Aflociation. 

Dots.  Cts. 

Xn  Amherft,  firft  parifh,  6 74-5 

Athfield,  8 25 

Chefter,  6 62  ^ 

Gofhen,  10  25 

Hadley,  27  68 

Hatfield,  19  00 

Hawley*-  8 00 

Longmeadow,  £9  1 6 

Northampton,-  18  77 

Southampton,  34  57! 

Springfield,  22  00 

Weftampton,  15  00 

Weft-Springfield,  firft  parifii,  26  76 

Wiftiamlburgh,  1 14  37$ 

Deerfield,  2 50 


Total  Female  Aflociation,  289  69 

Balance  in  the  Treafury  laft  year,  234  45! 

Intereft  on  the  fame,  16  65  i 


Total  of  the  fund  of  the  female  aflocialion,  540  80 

Expended  of  this  fund  for 
72  Bibles,  48  75 

25  SeleCt  Sermons,  21  87! 


[ >3  3 

200  Truftees’  Report,  1805,  for 

dillribution,  S ct> 

700  Vincent’s  Catechifm,  266  00 

Boxes,  carriage,  &c.  of  books,  j2  434- 

Balance  in  the  Treafury,  *83  74 


540  80 


Donations  in  towns  and  parijhes. 

dolls,  cts.  f Donation!  made  out  of  the  county. 
31  944  Hon.  William  Phillips, 


Amherft  jft  parifli, 
iVtoherft  2d  parilh,  13  05 

Aftifield,  21  32 

Belchertown,  7 53 

Buckland,  5 00 

Charlemont,  1 50 

Chefterfield,  10  37 

Colrain,  9 00 

Conway,  3 1 80 

Cummington,  5 00 

Deerfield,  6 00 

Eaftampton,  16  474 

Granby,  11  25 

Granville  micf  par.  19  00 

Hadley,  $4  77 

Hatfield,  46  20 

Hawley,  20  80 

Heath,  12  25 

Longmcadow,  *68  97-.- 

Northampton/  71  66 

Norwich,  2 co 

Palmer,  ^ a i 3 63 

Plainfield,  29  80 

Shelburne,  5 00 

Southampton.  61  75 

South -Hadley,  2c  co 

Springfield,  1 1 00 

Sunderland,  54  30 

Weftfield,  20  75 

Weftampton,  39  21 

W.  Springfield  id  par.  25  56 

Whateley,  12  59 

Williamfburgh,  56  47 

Worthington,  24  50 

851  954 

* 10  dolls,  omitted  by  miflake  laft 
ye^rare  added  to  this. 


Bofton,  yp  00 

Rev.  John  Dutton  Hart- 
ford, Ver.  2 00 

Ladies  in  Brookfield 

weft.  par.  10  50 

lyev.  Thomas  H.  Wood, 

Halifax,  Ver.  2 00 

Jedediah  Stark,  Efq.  Hal- 
ifax, Ver.  z 00 

66  50 

From  Doddridge’s  Rife 
St c.  of  Religion,  28  71 

Donations  made  in  the  new-fettlc- 
merits. 

In  Maine , 

Hebron,  Gid’n,  Cufliman,  r 00 
Noridgewalk,  4 10 

Sumner  & Hartford,  7 25 
Poland,  1 6 00 

Waterville,  12  00 

In  New-Tork, 
Camden  Mrs.  Bloomfield,  2 00 
Camden,  No.  8 3 37 

Camden,  No.  7 2 00 

Several  others,  1 17 

Florence,  No.  4 1 5° 

Sempronius,Efq.  Stoyell,  o 25 
Mifs  Sarah  Stoyell,  1 co 
Camillus,  Jacob  Sheldon,  1 00 
Marcellus  Ell,  12  25 

Scipio,  Luke  Taylor,  1 to 
De  Ruyter,  Mrs.  Catlin,  o 50 


65  ^.9 


[ 14  ] 
SUMMART. 

dolls. 

cts. 

Female  Charitable  Aflociations, 

289 

69 

Towns  in  the  county, 

851 

95i 

Out  of  the  county, 

66 

50 

New-fettlements, 

66 

49 

Profits  of  Doddridge’s  Rife, 

28 

7i 

J3°3  34t 


DOCUMENT  D. 

Expenditures  of  the  Ha?npjhire  Mifionary  Society  between  Phtgujl, 
1805  and  /lugujl,  1806. 

Balance  paid  to  Miffionaries  employed,  1805. 

dolls,  cts. 

72  14 

60  00 

80  00 

80  00 

72  00 

31  00 

395  H 

72  00 

72  00 

100  00 

72  00 

■ 316  00 


71 1 14 

+*  75 
21  87I 

28  04 

16  00 
26  6 00 

380  66! 

For  the  education  of  two  Indian  youths  10  00 


For  boxes,  carriage,  &c.  of  Books  1 2 43-J 

Portages  of  letters  See.  5 90-t- 

Entertaining  Committees,  1 1 06 

Stationary,  2 25 

Advertifing,  4 08 

A counterfeit  bill,  5 00 


Rev.  Payfon  Willifton, 

Rev.  Thomas  H.  Wood, 

Rev.  Jofeph  Field, 

Rev.  John  Dutton, 

Mr.  Samuel  Sewall, 

Mr.  Royal  Phelps, 

In  advance , 1806. 
Rev.  Royal  Phelps, 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Dutton, 

Rev.  Jofeph  Blodget, 

Rev.  David  H.  Willirton, 


Total  for  Miflionary  fervice 
For  Books 
72  Bibles, 

25  Select  Sermons, 

670  Watts’  Divine  Songs, 

400  Truftees  Report,  1805, 

750  Vincent’s  Catechifm. 


40 


s 


l 


73 


[ *5  J 


Summary  of  Expenditures. 


Miffionaries, 

7" 

*4 

Books, 

380 

68' 

Indian  Youths 

10 

00 

Contingent, 

40 

73 

1 142 

53i 

DOCUMENT  E. 

THE  Committee  appointed  by  the  Hamplhire  Miffionary 
Society  at  their  meeting  in  Auguft  1805,  to  examine  and  report 
the  (late  of  the  Treafury,  afk  leave  to  report  : 

That  they  have  examined  the  Treafurer’s  accounts  and  find 
them  regularly  charged,  well  vouched  and  rightly  caft,  that  there 
is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Treafurer  in  cafh  the  fum  of 

dolls.  26  65 

In  promiflory  notes,  with  good  fureties  on  In- 
tcreft,  the  fum  of  2056  yji 


Amounting  to  the  fum  of  2083  20I 

Which  is  Humbly  fubmitted. 

ASA  WHITE, 

JONATHAN  WOODBRIDGE, 
NATHANIEL  ELY, 

Northampton,  Auguft  26,  1806. 


Auditing 

Committee. 


Officers  of  the  Hampfhire  Mijfionary  Society , appointed  at  their  annual 
meeting  the  laft  T/mrfday  in  Aug.  1 806. 

His  Excellency  CALEB  STRONG,  Esq^  Preftdent. 

Rev.  SAMUEL  HOPKINS,  D.  D.  Vice- Preftdent. 
TRUSTEES, 

Hon.  JOHN  HASTINGS,  Efq. 

Rev.  JOSEPH  LATHROP,  D.  D. 

Hon.  EBENEZER  HUNT,  Efq. 

Rev.  JOSEPH  LYMAN,  D.  D. 

JUSTIN  ELY,  Efq. 

Rev.  SOLOMON  WILLIAMS, 

WILLIAM  BILLINGS,  Efq. 

Rev.  DAVID  PARSONS,  D.  D. 

CHARLES  PHELPS,  Efq. 

Rev.  RICHARD  S.  STORRS, 

RUGGLES  WOODBRIDGE,  Efq.  Treafturer, 

Rev.  ENOCH  HALE,  Correfponding  Secretary, 

Rev.  PAYSON  WILLISTON,  Recording  Secretary. 


Standing  Committee  of  the  Truftees. 

Rev.  Joseph  Lyman,  d.  d.  Rev.  Solomon  Williams, 
William  Billings,  Efq,  Charles  Phelps,  Efq. 
Rev.  Enoch  Hale. 


At  a meting  if  the  Hampfhire  Miffionary  Society,  in  North- 
ampton, Voted. 

THAT  Rev.  Doflor  Parfons  and  Rev.  R.  Williams  return 
the  thanks  of  this  Society  to  Rev.  Mr.  Pomeroy,  for  his  Ser- 
mon, delivered  before  them  to  day,  and  requeft  a Copy  of  him 
for  the  Prcfs. 

Attejl.  PAYSON  WILLISTON,  Reef  Sec’ry. 


THE  LORD’S  VINEYARD  THE  PLACE  OF  MAN'S 
EMPLOYMENT. 


A SERMON,  &c. 


In  the  2\Ji  Chap,  and  28 th  Verfg  of  Matthew  you  may  read, 

SON,  GO  WORK.  TO  DAY,  IN  MY  VINEYARD. 

J“IoW  eafily  did  Jcfus  Chrift,  in  all  inftances, 
confound  thofc  who  undertook  to  enfnare  him  ! His 
enemies  were  wholly  wound  up  by  the  parable  from 
which  the  text  is  taken,  and  neceffitated  to  pafs  fentencc 
upon  themfelvcs. 

The  chief- priefts,  and  elders  of  the  people,  demanded 
of  Chrift  that  he  ftiould  tell  them  by  what  authority  he 
afted.  He  promifed  to  give  them  fatisfa£lion,  upon  con- 
dition that  they  ftiould  anfwer  a plain  queftion  which  he 
would  put  ; or  give  their  opinion  with  refpeft  to  the 
baptifm  of  John.  They  durft  not  fay  that  John’s  bap- 
tifm  was  from  Heaven,  becaufe  in  fo  doing,  they  would 
have  condemned  themfelves,  for  not  believing  in  him  ; 
and  John  was  fo  in  favor  with  the  people,  that  they 
were  afraid  to  deny  his  prophetic  chara&er,  left  they 
ihould  bring  down  the  vengeance  of  the  populace  upon 
their  own  heads.  In  this  dilemma  they  chofe  to  give  no 
anfwer. 

What  could  now  more  fuitably  come  in  than  the  para- 
ble of  the  two  fons,  who  were  commanded  to  work  in 
the  vineyard  ? The  cafe  was  fo  plain,  that  when  the 
queftion  was  pur,  whether  of  them  twain  did  the  will  of 
his  father,  they  could  find  noexcufe  for  faying,  as  they 


[ >8  ] 

did  with  refpeft  to  John,  we  cannot  tell.  Pride  was 
mortified  upon  this  occafion.  Thofe  who  made  the  law 
their  ftudy,  and  were  formal  and  pun&ilious,  in  ob- 
ferving  fome  of  its  external  requirements,  thought 
therafelves  pofiefled  of  an  exclufive  title  to  the  kingdom 
of  God  ; and  held  in  contempt  both  the  heathen  world, 
and  the  lower  order  of  their  own  countrymen.  The  Jew- 
ifti  commonalty,  however,  and  even  the  publicans  and  har- 
lots, a number  of  them,  who  fet  up  no  fuch  claim,  gave 
more  evidence  that  they  were  the  heirs  of  the  kingdom, 
by  obeying  the  orders  of  the  king,  as  they  were  deliv- 
ered by  the  baptift,  and  in  the  preaching  of  Chrift. — 
Chrift  applied  the  parable  ; and,  no  doubt,  its  application 
was  anticipated  by  thofe  to  whom  it  was  delivered. 

God  is  intended  by  the  father  in  the  parable,  who  di- 
rected his  Tons  to  go  into  the  vineyard.  Leaving  the 
original  defign  of  the  words  chofen  For  the  theme  of  this 
difeourfe,  they  may  be  fo  interpreted  as  to  convey  gener- 
al inftru&ion,  and  fo  turned  as  to  fuit  this  occafion. 

Let  us  then  confider  the  perfon  addrefled,  fon  ; the 
thing  commanded,  work ; the  place  where,  the  vine- 
yard ; the  time  when,  to  day. 

Firft.  Son  is  a term  denoting  that  relation  which  one 
perfon  fuftains  to  another,  who  is  his  father.  This  term, 
m common  ufe  among  men,  is  employed  by  God  with  as 
little  variation  of  meaning,  as  the  nature  of  the  cafe 
will  allow. 

From  the  conftru&ion  of  the  parable,  we  are  led  to 
view  God  as  applying  the  term  to  mankind,  generally, 
and  to  his  chofen  people,  peculiarly.  The  perfon  who 
reprefents  the  proud,  and  felf-fuflkient  Jews,  is  in  the  par- 
able, called  fon,  as  well  as  the  other,  by  whom  we 
are  to  underftand  the  humble  publicans,  and  other 
broken  hearted  finners. 

That  all  perfons,  penitent  and  impenitent,  may  fee 
why  it  is  that  God  calls  each  one  of  mankind  fon,  it  is 
important  that  the  particular  reafons  fhould  be  under- 
flood,  and  recollected. 


[ *9  3 

Gcd  as  the  creator  of  us  all,  is  the  father  of  us  all  ; 
and  we  are,  by  our  very  being,  his  offspring  $ as  one 
perfcn  is  the  fon  of  another,  b<?caufe  he  owes  to  him  his 
natural  exillence ; and  as  one  perfon  is  the  father  of 
another,  becaufe  he  is  the  author  of  natural  exiftence  t6 
him.  God  is  more  truly,  and  emphatically,  our  natural 
father,  than  any  e rth'y  parent  can  be,  and  we  are  more 
really  his  fons,  than  we  can  be  the  fons  of  thofe, 
who  were  only  inflrumental  of  giving  us  life.  The  human 
machine  is  the  work  of  God,  with  all  its  curious  or- 
ganisation ; and  the  immortal  mind,  (till  more  wonder- 
ful in  its  ftrutture,  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  fame  infi- 
nite fcmfe. 

We  will  now  view  the  term  fon  as  more  definitely 
ufed  by  God.  Before  the  deluge,  the  fons  of  God  were 
diftinguifhed  from  the  reft  of  mankind,  for  we  find  them 
mentioned  together  with  the  daughters  of  men.  While 
all  men  are  the  fons  of  God,  being  his  creatures,  thofe  are 
his  fons  peculiarly,  upon  whom  a work  of  religion  his  beeft 
wrought.  The  unbeliever  may  attribute  the  difference 
among  men  to  the  difference  of  moral  cultivation.  Bdl 
the  facred  feriptures  fpeak,  abundantly,  of  being  begot- 
ten of  God  ; of  being  boru  of  the  Spirit  ; and  of  being 
created  in  Chrft  Jefus. 

The  Sabbath  which  was  firft  obferved  in  the  world, 
was  to  celebrate  the  creation  of  the  World  : or  the  reft- 
ing  of  God  from  his  labors  of  creation.  The  prefeht 
Sabbath  comes  in  place  of  the  ancient  one  ; and  is  a 
day  of  reft  confequent  upon  greater  labors,  the  work  of 
redemption,  the  new  creation  of  man.  Since  the  day 
for  the  Sabbath  is  changed,  the  event  which  occafioned 
the  change  muft  be  more  important  than  that  which  fix- 
ed the  day  at  firft.  The  work  of  redemption  therefore, 
and  ccnfequently  religion,  muft  be  a work  of  creation  ; 
and  a greater  work  than  the  creation  <?f  the  Heavens 
and  the  Earth. 

As  is  the  work  of  redemption  generally,  confidered,  fo 
is  the  application  of  it  in  each  inftance  to  the  human 


[ 20  ] 

heart.  The  child  of  God  has  no  new  corporeal  powers 
given  him,  nor  any  mental  faculties  which  he  did  not  pof- 
fefs  while  in  a ftate  of  nature.  If  any  man  be  in  Chrift, 
however,  he  is  anew  creature.  The  mind  meditates  on 
new  themes  ; the  heart  exercifes  itfelf  in  a way  en- 
tirely different  from  its  former  courfe,  things  unex- 
pected come  into  view  : fome  to  be  admired,  and  fome 
to  be  detefted  : and  love  and  hatred,  entirely  change 
their  obje&s.  The  fun,  the  moon,  and  the  flars  to  na- 
ture’s dim  eyes,  are  but  ordinary  fires  or  lights.  How 
differently  they  appear  to  the  chriftian,  may  be  feen  in 
his  language  concerning  them.  The  heavens  declare 
tne  glory  of  God,  and  the  firmament  fheweth  his 
handy  work.  The  man  of  nature  fees  the  lights  ; 
but  the  chriftian  fees  the  glory  of  God  in  them.  To 
him  therefore  they  are  new  things,  and  fo  he  muft  be 
new  with  refpeft  to  them.  To  mankind,  as  fuel: , this 
world  appears  a home,  and  the  affections  are  firmly  fet 
upon  it.  The  chriftian  regards  it  as  the  inn  in  which  the 
traveller  lodges  ; as  the  tent  in  which  the  foldier  fleeps ; 
as  the  ftage  on  which  the  aCtor  performs  his  part  ; as 
the  place  in  which  the  probationer  makes  his  election 
between  good  and  evil,  and  fixes  his  character  forever. 
To  all,  but  the  chriftian,  the  law  is  an  encumbrance,  and 
forbidden  pleafure  the  only  pleafure,  while  to  him  the 
.cafe  is  direCtly  the  reverfe.  Nature  knows  no 
fpring  of  aCtion  but  what  is  felfifh  ; the  chriftian  grounds 
his  fatisfaCtion  on  his  benevolence,  and  on  his  labors  of 
love.  The  natural  man  would  choofe  never  to  die  j the 
renewed  man  would  not  live  always. 

The  more  the  difference  between  religious  inclinations 
and  natural  propenfities  is  examined,  the  more  apparent 
will  it  be,  that  where  religion  is,  there  is  a ne\v  creation  ; 
and  that  the  man  of  religion  is  the  fon  of  God,  in  a two- 
fold fenfe. 

Now  it  may  be  afked,  why  this  parable  is  not  fpok- 
en  to  chriftians,  only,  ftnee  they  are  the  perfons  who 
acknowledge  the  law  of  God,  and  feel  the  weight  of 


r 2i  ] 

his  commands.  But  has  not  a parent  as  good  a light  to 
command  a difobedient  child,  as  one  who  is  ready  to.com- 
ply  with  all  his  orders  ; and  is  it  wrong  for  the  parent  to 
call  his  child  his  fon,  becaufe  the  child  is  fo  froward  that 
he  will  not  call  his  parent  father  ? All  are  under  obliga- 
tion to  obey  God,  and  God  lays  his  commands  upon  al|. 
When  therefore  he  calls  any  perfon  fon,  who  does  not, 
by  grace,  fuftain  this  relation,  and  dire&s  him  to  do 
any  thing,  he  points  out  how  the  work  is  to  be  done, 
by  the  appellation  with  which  he  addrefles  him.  The 
manner  is  very  important,  and  is  as  neceflarv  to  be  poin:  - 
ed  out  as  the  workitfelf.  If  God  calls  me  his  fon,  lie 
reminds  me  that  I am  his  offspring,  naturally,  and  that 
I ought  fpirituafly,  and  refigioufly  to  be  fo. 

Sec.  The  fon  is  commanded,  in  the  parable,  to  work. 
God  then  requires  of  us  all  feme  kind  of  work.  That 
man  ought  not  to  be  idle,  is  evident  from  comparing 
him  with  other  beings  and  things ; and  from  viewing  the 
capacity,  and  means  with  which  he  is  furnifned.  The 
univerfe  is  full  of  labor.  The  planets  never  ceafe  their 
motion  ; the  comets  are  always  on  their  way.  The  fun 
arifeth,  as  it  is  exprefled  inferipture,  and  the  fun  gocth 
down,  and  hafteth  to  the  place  where  he  arofe.  The 
moon  continually  changes  her  pofition,  and  to  our  view, 
varies  her  form.  The  rivers  are  every  moment  running 
into  the  fea  ; and  the  fea  is  ever  ebbing,  and  flowing, 
with  waves  that  never  fleep,  nor  reft.  The  air,  now 
circulates  in  breezes  ; and  now  moves  fwifter  than  a poft. 
Fires  burn  is  the  entrails  of  the  earth,  without  blowing  ; 
and  the  coals  keep  alive,  without  the  care  of  anyone  to 
cover  them.  The  fillies  plow  the  deep  ; and  the  fowls 
divide  the  air  above  us.  The  ant-hill  is  alive  with  the 
labors  of  its  inhabitants  ; and  the  dwelling  place  of  the 
bees  echoes  the  fong  of  induftry  and  of  regular  produc- 
tive exertion. 

The  devil  goes  about  like  a roaring  lion,  feeking  whom 
he  may  devour.  Whatever  is  the  number  of  thofe  fallen 
fpirits  who  once  had  a place  in  Heaven,  they  fpend  no 


C 22  2 

time  in  ileep,  but  walk  their  rounds,  perpetually,  for 
ifiifchief. 

Angels  of  light,  and  glory,  and  the  fpirits  of  the 
juft  made  perfect,  reft  not  day,  nor  night.  They  fmg  the 
fong  of  Mofes  the  fervant  of  God,  and  the  fong  of  the 
Lamb,  around  the  throne,  or  they  go  as  miniftering 
fpirits,  a$  the  ambafladors  of  God  to  perform  his  fervice. 

God  who  is  the  creator  of  the  ends  of  the  earth 
faintfeth  not,  neither  is  weary.  The  univerfe  would  re- 
turn to  non-exiftence  without  his  unremitted  vigilance 
and  care.  Vaft  are  his  works,  above,  infinitely  above 
our  ability  to  trace.  In  his  relation  to  this  world,  he 
ftands  in  the  three-fold  capacity  of,  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Spirit. 

No  father  fo  fteadily  employs  himfelf  to  provide -for  his 
family,  as  God  does,  though  it  requires  no  exertion  in 
him,  to  fupport  his  numberlefs  dependant  creatures. 

No  fon  is  fo  attentive  to  his  father’s  bufinefs,  as  the 
Son  of  God.  Witnefs  his  words  while  he  was  here  on 
earth : My  meat  is  to  do  the  will  of  him  who  fent  me, 
and  to  finifti  his  work.  This  fhews  us  what  he  was  when 
incarnate  : and  what  he  now  is,  we  learn  from  the  decla- 
ration that  he  ever  lives  to  make  interceflion.  He  is  the 
only  advocate  of  mankind  : and  how  many  have  com- 
mitted their  caufe  to  his  management  f Not  a prayer 
reaches  the  throne  of  grace,  but  through  him.  No  fin- 
ner  is  favorably  noticed  by  God,  whom  he  docs  not  re- 
commend. 

The  fpirit  is  equally  engaged.  Who  can  doubt  it  who 
Hears  him  fay.  Behold  I ftand  at  the  door  and  knock  ? 
When  the  foul  firft  turns  to  God,  he  turns  it ; and  it 
would  not  continue  to  revolve  around  the  fun  of  rightc- 
oufnefs,  as  its  centre  of  attraftion,  were  it  not  for  his 
repeated  impulfes  and  influences. 

Thus,  whether  we  look  to  things  inanimate,  to  ani- 
mated nature,  or  to  rational  being  ; whether  we  look 
to  the  earth,  to  hell,  orlo  heaven,  we  find  motion  ; we 
dil'cover  a work  going  on. 


[ 23  1 

Now,  when  wc  confider  man,  his  ftrufture  appears  to 
be  fuch,  and  fuch  his  circumflances,  that  we  arc  led  to 
conclude  that  he  is  made  for  fome  important  end.  Wc 
mud  all  have  bufinels  to  attend  to,  upon  a large 
fcale,  and  very  interdting.  Society  is  made  up  of 
different  clalfes.  Our  work  is  to  be  done  in  different 
ways,  according  as  we  are  differently  fituated.  Like  the 
members  of  the  body  we  have  each  one  his  office. 

Some  have  bodily  ftrength  in  an  uncommon  meafure 
imparted  to  them,  and  this  feems  to  be  their  prominent 
advantage.  If  this  ftrength  do  not  find  fome  object  to 
exhauft  itfelf  upon  is  it  not  mifapplied  by  the  poffdlor  ? 
The  beflowment  indicates  the  purpofe  of  providence.  The 
ground,  the  curfe  being  upon  it,  requires  tilling,  and  calls 
for  the  exercife  of  the  iron  finews  of  labor.  The  peculiar 
ftru&ure  of  fome  men  fits  them,  in  an  efpecial  manner, 
to  be  cultivators  of  the  field.  This  clafs  of  men  muff 
always  be  large  in  the  community,  becaufe  that  the  com- 
munity depends  for  fupport,  in  a great  meafure,  upon 
this  clafs  of  men  ; and  wholly  upon  the  laborious,  in  one 
way,  and  another,  employed. 

But  there  are  others,  who  are,  in  body,  more  feebly 
conftrucfed,  and  whole  fphere  of  a&ivity  appears  to  be 
that  of  the  mind,  rather  than  that  of  the  body.  Wherever 
there  is  a preponderance  of  intelle&ual  ftrength,  there 
fome  intellectual  occupation  is  pointed  at  in  nature.  The 
field  for  the  mind  to  labor  in  is  boundlefs.  The  calls  from 
fociety  upon  men  of  capacity,  and  information  are  nu- 
merous and  loud.  Children  in  vafl:  multitudes  are  daily 
growing  up,  who  will  prove  as  weeds  in  the  garden,  or 
as  briars  on  the  farm,  unlefs  their  minds  be  tutored. — 
Such,  Iikewife,  has  ever  been  the  ftate  of  the  world., 
that  information  in  this  thing  or  that,  has  been  generally 
needed  by  perfons  in  years,  a very  confiderable  pro- 
portion of  the  community  being  ignorant. 

He  who  thinks  the  labors  of  the  fludent  unneceffary, 
and  ufelefs,  is  as  certainly  in  an  error  as  he  who  looks 
down  with  contempt  upon  the  toils  of  hufbandry.  The 


[ 24  ] 

mind  and  the  foil  of  the  earth,  are  alike  as  to  their  need 
of  culture. 

There  are  thofe,  too,  who  are  outwardly,  and  in- 
wardly, furnifhed  for  much  fcrvice,  and  there  are  oth- 
ers to  whom  fome  finall  portion  only,  of  ftrength,  bodily, 
and  mental,  belongs.  In  fuch  cafes,  the  body  and  the 
mind,  have  each,  a part  to  bear  in  the  work  of  life. 

To  fome,  uncommon  influence  is  given,  ariftng  from 
their  peculiar  circumftaoces.  This  influence  mufl  be  fet 
to  work.  Some  are  influential  by  rcafon  of  the  virtu- 
ous life  which  they  lead,  who  hold  no  confpicuous 
place  on  account  of  any  bodily  or  mental  faculties. — 
Much  may  grow  out  of  this  influence,  properly  exerted. 
Parents,  and  rulers,  have  influence  attached  to  their 
Rations,  which  is  very  great.  We  are  thrown  into  our 
parents’  arms  when  we  come  into  the  world.  Of  courfe, 
they  have  the  befl  opportunity  to  gain,  and  continue 
their  afcendency  over  us.  If  in  confequence  of  early 
pliancy,  they  can  k^ep  our  limbs  ftraight,  or  crook  them, 
at  their  pleafure,  fo  they  may  greatly  bias  our  minds,  to 
good,  or  evil,  by  means  of  the  confidence  which  we  re- 
pofe  in  them,  Parental  example  is  the  highefl  fanftion 
with  a child.  Arguments  againft  it,  avail  nothing. — 
Power  is,  therefore,  put  into  the  hands  of  parents, 
to  accomplifli  much.  Their  means  are  multiplied,  as 
their  influence  is  increafed.  Rulers  are  in  a fituation 
fomewhat  fimilar.  Sometimes  fuch  confidence  is  placed 
in  them,  as  renders  their  circ'c  of  labor  almoft  immeaf- 
urable  : and  when  this  is  not  the  cafe,  they  occupy  fuch 
an  eminence  that  all  which  they  can  look  down  upon, 
may  be  called,  in  one  fenfe,  their  work.  They  turn  the 
crank  which  fets  the  preat  machine  in  motion.  By 

U t < J 

enafting  laws,  and  by  puting  them  into  operation,  they 
regulate  fociety.  Some  men  have  fo  large  a fhare  of 
properly,  that  independantly  of  all  other  circumltances, 
they  have  means  to  ufe  which  are  very  extenfive,  and 
their  work  fhould  be  in  proportion  to  their  means. 

Third.  The  place  where  this  work  is  to  be  performed 


[ 25  ] 

is  the  next  tiling  which  requires  our  attention.  The  Ton 
was  directed  to  work  in  his  father’s  vineyard  ; confe- 
quently,  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  is  a place  where  we 
all  ought  to  employ  ourfelves. 

Now,  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  of  hofls,  is  the  houfc 
of  Ifrael,  and  the  men  of  Judah  his  pleafant  plant. — 
God  condefcended  to  ufe  fuch  language  when  he  fpokc 
of  his  ancient  people.  The  fame  language  is,  univerfal- 
ly,  applicable  to  his  church. 

Let  it  not  be  thought  too  much  of  a digreflion,  if  wc 
confider  in  this  place,  why  the  term  vineyard  has  this  ufe 
in  the  feriptures. 

Wine  is  the  produce  of  the  vineyard,  and  on  ac- 
count of  its  color,  and  other  properties,  it  is  made  to 
reprefent  the  blood  of  Chrifl.  With  his  own  blood  he 
purchafed  a people  for  himfelf  ; with  this  blood  the  foun- 
dation of  the  church  is  cemented.  Since,  without  the 
fhedding  of  the  blood  of  Chrifl,  there  could  be  no  re- 
million  of  fin,  the  very  exigence  of  the  church,  is  to  be 
traced  to  this  caufe.  What  then,  fo  flrikingly  pictures 
out  the  church  as  a vineyard  ? 

Vineyard  is  a proper  term  alfo,  thus  employed,  be- 
cause grapes  grow  in  cluflers,  and  hang  upon  the  vine, 
fupported  by  it,  and  nourifhed  by  it.  The  people  of 
God,  who  conllitute  the  true  church,  are  united  togeth- 
er, by  that  divine  love  which  forms  them  into  one  body  ; 
neither  can  they  any  more  live  without  Chrifl,  than  a 
clufter  of  grapes  can  live,  broken  off  from  the  parent 
flock.  Thefe  two  things  are,  abundantly  taught  in  the 
difeourfes  of  our  Savior,  and  in  the  writings  of  his  in- 
fpired  lervants..  Chriftians  who  are  acquainted,  meet 
together,  and  fpeak  often  one  to  another  ; and  there  is 
a ftrange  attraction  in  love,  drawing  the  foul  to  unknown 
objetts  of  defire.  To;  all  his  people,  Chrifl  is  as  much 
the  finifher,  as  the  author  of  faith.  Yeflerday’s  meals 
fatisfy  not  the  cravings  of  the  flomach,  to  day  ; nor  is 
the  fpiritual  appetite,  more  eafily  contented,  with  the 
repafl  of  former  times.  Among  the  many  marks  with 

D 


[ 26  ] 

which,  we  are  furnifhed,  to  try  ourfelves  by,  there  is 
Ho  one  more  plain,  and  important,  than  thofe  we  are 
now  confidering. 

It  is  a peculiar  attachment,  which  the  child  of  God 
feels  towards  God’s  children.  Other  attachments  pro- 
ceed from  quite  other  caufes.  The  ties  of  nature  arc 
common,  and  ftrong  ; and  he  rauft  be,  utrufually,  deprav- 
ed, who  is  a ftranger  to  their  force.  The  ties  of  intereft, 
Iikewife,  have  great  influence  in  fattening  the  members 
of  fociety  together.  But  he  who  loves  the  brethren, 
has  no  reafon  to  give  for  it,  but  that  they  are 
the  brethren  of  the  one  common  Lord.  To  him  the 
cafe  is  much  the  fame,  whether  they  be  his  kindred,  or 
not  j whether  they  have,  at  any  time,  done  him  a favor, 
or  an  injury  ; whether  they  live  in  the  city,  or  the  wil- 
dernefs  ; whether  thev  be  perfons  of  polite  education,  or 
ignorant  j whether  of  diftinttion,  or  unknown ; wheth- 
er of  his  own  complexion,  or  of  a different  hue.  The 
image  of  God  is  what  fixes  this  affection. 

Where  fuch  a love  to  the  brethren,  is  abfolute  depend- 
ance  on  Chrift  is  found  in  connexion  with  it,-  Natural 
men  feel  ftrong  in  themfelves.  Many  of  them,  proba- 
bly, fuppofe  that  their  defert  mud  be  the  highefl  feat  in 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven.  Good  works  may  ftand  to  the 
credit  of  the  chriftian,  in  the  books  of  the  Judge  j 
but  he  will  make  no  calculation  upon  them,  for  accept- 
ance, nor  once  bring  them  into  view,  as  a ground  of 
hope.  Real  comfort  is  to  be  found,  only,  in  the  divine 
mercy  ; in:  the  grace  of  Chrifl;  ; in  the  efficacy  of  the 
atonement  ; in  the  evidence,  that  the  blood  of  l'prinkling 
has  been  applied  to  the  foul.  The  humble  language  of 
true  religion  is,  I know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth  ; and, 
becaufe  he  liveth,  I (hall  live  alfo.  Thus,  this  fpiritual 
clufter  hangs  together,  and  on  the  fpiritual  vine. 

Vineyard  is  a proper  term  alfo,  to  reprefent  believers, 
or  the  true  church,  becaufe  of  the  value  which  has  ever 
been  fet  upon  wine.  Mention  is  frequently  made  of  it  in 
the  fcripturcs.  The  vine,  in  Jotham’s  parable,  is  repre* 


[ ®7  ] 

lentcd  as  faying  to  the  trees : Should  I leave  my  wine 
which  cheereth  God,  and  man,  and  go  to  be  promoted 
over  the  trees ! Chriftians  are  alfo  called  the  light  of  the 
world,  to  denote  the  importance  of  their  character.  No 
light  have  they  of  their  own,  but  like  the  moon  they  re- 
fled!  the  light  of  that  fun  which  fhines  upon  them  — 
Chrift  farther  termed  his  difciples  the  fait  of  the  earth, 
becaufe  that  fociety  would  have  no  feafoning  without 
them,  but  muft  corrupt,  and  go  to  definition. 

One  other  reafon  for  calling  the  church  a vineyard  is, 
that  like  a vineyard  it  has  a cultivator.  He  who  plants  a 
vineyard  does  not  leave  it  to  its  own  fpontaneous  produc- 
tion, but  lops  off  all  encumbering  vegetation,  and  by 
foflering  the  flock,  aids  in  the  growth  of  the  fruit. 
God,  the  father,  is  the  hufbandman  of  his  own  fpiritua! 
vineyard.  In  that  day,  we  read  in  Ilaiah,  fing  ye  unto 
her  vineyard  of  red  wine  ; I the  Lord  do  keep  it  ; I 
will  water  it  every  moment,  left  any  hurt  it ; I will  keep 
it  night  and  day.  A garden  enclofed,  fays  Chrift  re- 
fpedling  his  church,  is  my  fifler,  my  fpoufe,  a fpring  ftiut 
up,  a fountain  fealed.  All  thefe  figures  fhew  that  the 
Lord  doe6  not  leave  his  vineyard  expofed  to  encroach- 
ment, nor  neglet  the  plants  which  he  himfelf  has  fet 
out.  He  is  the  wall  around  his  vineyard  ; he  is  the  fua 
to  fhine  upon  it  ; and  his  grace  is  the  all  refrefhing,  and 
reviving  rain.  Beyond  all  this,  the  Lord  prunes,  with  a 
tender  though  faithful  hand,  his  vineyard,  that  it  may 
bear  more  fruit.  1 his  may  be  feen  in  the  many  correc- 
tions, and  trials,  which  he  fends  upon  his  people. 

Though  we  are  dire&ed  to  work  in  the  Lord’s  vine- 
yard, « e are  not  located  as  to  our  bufinefs,  and  though 
the  vineyard  reprefents  the  church  ; our  labors  are  not 
to  be  confined  to  the  exifting  church  ; to  the  perfons  who 
are  at  prefent,  believers.  Spiiitual  things  are  to  be  com- 
pared together.  For  an  illuftration  here,  we  will  take 
two  paffages  from  our  Savior’s  prayer  for  his  difciples, 
recorded  in  the  feventeenth  chapter  of  John’s  gofpel. 
I pray  for  them,  I pray  not  for  the  world,  but  for  them 


r 28  ] 

• which  thou  haft  given  me,  for  they  are  thine.  Thefe 
words  wholly  exclude  the  world  from  the  prayers  of  the 
Savior.  Yet  let  us  turn  to  another  place.  Neither  pray 
I for  thefe  alone,  but  for  them  alfo,  who  {hall  believe  on 
me  through  their  word.  It  would  have  been  inconfiftent 
for  Chrift,  to  pray  for  the  porfperity  of  the  world,  or 
for  worldly  porfperity,  to  any  perfons,  becaufe  the  -world, 
and  his  kingdom  have  no  refemblance.  His  concern  is 
with  believers.  He  does  does  not  limit  his  regard,  how- 
ever, to  thofe  who  at  any  particular  time,  are  believers. 
So  our  bufinefs  is  in  the  vineyard.  Still,  we  are  not 
circumfcribed.  We  are  to  cultivate  as  many  plants 
as  we  find  in  the  vineyard,  and  to  labor  to  be  inftrumental 
in  collecting  as  many  more  as  poflible.  Religion  Ihould 
be  the  work  of  life,  with  us  all.  When  the  glory  of 
God  is  our  olj^eCt,  and  when  we  are  aiming  to  pro- 
mote it,  by  obeying  his  directions,  we  are  at  work  in 
the  vineyard  ; and  when  this  is  not  the  cafe,  we  are 
not  where  we  are  ordered  to  employ  ourfelves.  The 
prophet  had  quitted  his  proper  ground,  when  it  was  laid 
to  him,  What  doft  thou  here  Elijah  ? 

Let  no  one  think  that  this  rule  of  conduCt  interferes 
with  the  ordinary  occupations  of  mankind.  We  all  know 
from  what  high  authority  we  learn,  that  the  work  of  God  is, 
that  we  Ihould  believe  on  him  whom  he  hath  fent.  Wemuft 
be  fenfible  too,  that  our  divine  mafter,  who  has  given  us 
this  information,  was  more  induftrious  than  any  other  per- 
fon  ever  was,  in  doing  good,  to  the  bodies,  as  well  as  to  the 
fouls  of  men,  and  that  his  apoftles,  whom  he  commiffion- 
ed,  and  fent  out,  were  paterns  of  induftry  no  lefs  than  of 
found  doCtrine.  Paul’s  hands  miniftered  to  his  neceflities. 

One  great  excellency  of  religion  is  that  it  allows  every 
man  to  abide  in  the  calling  in  which  he  is  called  ; and 
not  only  allows  this,  but  enjoins  it.  If  our  objeCt  caq 
be  right,  our  labor  cannot  be  wrpng.  Though  the  riv- 
ers are  running  in  very  various  directions,  their  courfes 
are  fuch  as  they  fliould  be,  becaufe  they  are  asl  running 
into  the  fea.  Thus  whether  we  till  the  land  ; traffic  in 


[2  9 ] 

purple  ; fpread  our  net  in  the  waters  ; fpend  our  time  in 
committing  our  thoughts  to  paper  ; occupy  the  place  of 
a ruler  ; or  wield  the  fword  of  the  gofpel  ; live  in  af- 
fluence, or  live  in  poverty  ; our  work  is  the  fame.  The 
glory  of  God  is  always  difplayed,  when  the  real  good  of 
mankind  is  advanced. 

We  are  prone,  enough,  to  induflry.  The  difficulty  is, 
that  our  endeavors  are  mifdire&ed.  Ifrael  was  called  an 
empty  vine,  not  becaufe,  he  did  nothing  ; but,  becaufe, 
he  brought  forth  fruit  unto  himfelf.  The  reafons  why 
we  fliould  work  in  the  vineyard,  or  obferve  this  flraight 
path  of  condutt,  we  can  eafily  find  if  wefeekfor  them. 

God  is  engaged  in  the  fame  work  which  he  requires  of 
men,  the  work  of  holinefs.  This  may  be  viewed  as  all 
his  work,  fince  it  is  all  his  aim.  If  I be  a hufband- 
man,  my  bufinefs  need  not  take  me  off  from  holinefs  for 
God  does  far  more  in  my  hufbandry,  than  myfelf,  and 
yet  he  is  not  in  the  Ieaft,  diverted  from  holinefs.  All 
the  lawful  concerns  in  which  men  are  engaged,  God  is 
engaged  in  ; becaufe,  without  him,  there  could  be  no 
fuccefs.  Except  the  Lord  build  the  houfe,  they  labor  in 
vain  that  build  it  ; except  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the 
wratchman  waketh  but  in  vain. 

Let  us  think,  farther,  what  we  can  gain  if  we  loofe 
lalvation  ; what  reward  we  can  have  for  our  fervice  if 
we  do  not  work  in  the  vineyard  ; and  what  we  can  con- 
fer upon  our  fellow  men,  which  will  be  fo  important,  as 
to  benefit  their  fouls.  Place  eternity  by  the  fide  of 
time  ; compare  the  immortal  foul  with  the  perifhable 
body  ; weigh  peace  of  mind  againfl  every  earthly  good  ; 
and  form  your  eflimate. 

The  wicked  worketh  a deceitful  work.  If  you  employ 
a laborer,  you  judge  of  his  fervice  not  by  the  quicknefs 
of  his  motions  ; not  by  the  hurry  in  which  he  appears  to 
be  ; but  by  what  he  accompliffies  in  the  courfe  of  the 
day.  What  if  a perfon  has  been  very  bufy  through 
life  ; acquired  a great  eftate  ; brought  ,up  a numerous 
family  ; and  is  able  to  fettle  each  one  cf  his  children  in 


[ 3°  ] 

a fplendid  houfe,  and  upon  an  ample  fortune ! This,  tc 
fuperficial  obfervers,  looks  like  doing  much.  But  let  us 
examine  before  we  decide.  What  is  the  lituation  of  the 
perfon  who  has  done  all  this  ? Is  he  happy  himfelf  ? Is 
he  any  more  contented,  than  he  was  when  he  commenced 
his  career  ? It  may  be  that  he  is  farther  from  enjoyment, 
than  he  was  half  a century  a ago  ; and,  that,  in  a few 
days  he  is  to  be  arrefled  by  the  hand  of  Juftice, 
to  anfwer  for  the  mifimprovement  of  his  time.  Arc 
his  children  benefitted,  by  the  eftate  put  into  their  pof- 
feffion  ? In  mod  inftances,  probably,  the  cafe  is  direfrly 
the  reverfe.  The  toils  of  the  parent  are,  often,  forgot- 
ten by  the  child,  or  requited  with  ingratitude,  and 
fhameful  abufe.  Thofe  are  not,  generally,  the  bell 
members  of  fociety,  who  begin  life  with  a great  eftate  j 
nor  are  they,  generally,  the  moft  likely  to  be  happy, 
here,  or  in  another  world.  If  this  man  of  wealth  has 
not  done  good  to  himfelf,  nor  his  family,  to  whom 
has  he  been  ferviceable  ? Who  will  rife  up  and  call  him 
bleffed  ? May  there  not  be  many,  who  are,  daily,  load- 
ing him  with  imprecations,  for  having  unfairly,  if  not 
difhoneftly,  difpoffeffed  them  of  their  property  ; for  hav- 
ing taken  the  bed  from  under  them,  the  clothes  from  off 
their  backs,  and  the  fcanty  morfel  from  their  children’s 
mouths  ? 

Now  view  the  chriftian  in  the  doling  period  of  his  life. 
See,  firft,  what  his  circumftar.ces  have  been.  He  has 
ever  been  more  contented,  with  his  meals,  his  clothing, 
his  lodging,  and  his  labors,  than  the  worldling  j and, 
perhaps,  he  has  converted  more  to  his  own  ufe,  than 
even  the  worldling  himfelf  At  the  approach  of  death, 
he  feels  like  the  foldier,  whole  long  term  of  ’fatiguing 
fervice  is  about  to  expire  ; or  like  the  apprentice,  who 
has  groaned  under  the  tyranny  of  a hard  mafter  ; or 
like  the  captive,  whofe  ranfom  has  been  paid  ; or  like 
the  lover,  who  is  fpeeding  to  the  objeffc  of  all  his  tho’ts, 
and  affefrions.  Whateverproperty  he  may  leave  his  fam- 
ily’, he  leaves  his  bleftmg,  which  is  far  better  than  prop- 


C 3<  1 

erty.  He  will  leave  his  children,  perhaps,  the  fub- 
jetts  of  religion  ; or  if  not,  he  will  leave  them  with  his 
many  pious  counfels,  and  with  his  holy  example  to  me- 
ditate upon,  and  thefe  may  be  feed,  which  at  a future 
day  will  fpring  np,  and  bear  a plentiful  harveft.  To 
the  world,  he  makes  not  a boafling,  but  a humble  ap- 
peal ; I have  coveted  no  man’s  fiver,  or  gold  or  ap- 
parel ; I have  wronged  no  man,  I have  corrupted  no 
man,  I have  defrauded  no  man.  If  any  of  thefe  things 
have,  at  any  time,  occurred,  they  have  been  followed 
with  fuch  confeflion,  and  reftitution,  as  muft  be  fatis- 
fa&ory  to  any  candid  mind.  Indeed  as  one  finner  def- 
troys  much  good,  fo  the  chriflian  is  not  merely  inoffen- 
five  to  the  fociety  of  which  he  is  a member,  but  his 
work  of  faith,  and  labor  of  love,  will  be  feen,  when 
he  is  numbered  with  the  great  congregation  of  the  deed. 

hourth-  To  day  is  the  time,  when  the  work  in  the 
vineyard,  is  to  be  done.  Thofe  who  are  converfant  with 
the  feriptures,  are  fenfible  that  all  the  commands  of  God, 
require  our  immediate  attention,  and  compliance.  We, 
ourfelves  have  many  plans  for  to-morrow  ; but  we  are 
no  where  directed  by  God,  to  do  any  thing  to-morrowr. 
Indeed  how'  could  laws  be  framed  with  no  other  date 
than  to-morrow'  for  their  operation  ! 

* To-morrow  ! 

It  is  a period,  no  where  to  be  found 

In  all  the  hoary  regifters  of  Time  ; 

Unlefs,  perchance  in  the  fool’s  calendar  !’ 

God  has  effentially  the  fame  w-ork  for  us  to  do  every 
day,  the  Sabbath’s  peculiar  fervices  excepted  j therefore, 
to-day  is  the  time  for  him  to  call  upon  us. 

Will  any  thing  in  life  be  negle&ed,  if  we  do  to-day, 
what  to-day  fhould  be  done  ? We,  needlefsly,  encum- 
ber ourfelves,  when  we  undertake  the  work  of  many 
days  at  once.  Sufficient  for  every  day,  is  the  evil,  the 
burden  of  it.  What  has  the  hufbandraan,  for  inflance, 
‘o'  do  with  to-morrow  ? Plowing,  fowing,  and  reaping 


[ 3^  ] 

are  different  labors,  and  may  be  bis  talk  for  feveral  days; 
But  that  part  of  this  connected  bufinefs,  which  belongs* 
to  what  we  call  to-morrow,  is  not  his  duty,  until,  what 
we  call  to-morrow,  becomes  to-day. 

How  fimple,  and  eafy,  is  the  bufinefs  of  life,  if  we 
purfue  it  according  to  the  dire&ion  of  our  Maker,  and 
Law-giver  ! 

Some  perfons,  however,  may  fuppofe,  that  common 
concerns  and  religion,  are  totally  different  thicgs  ; and 
muff  be  made  to  conform  to  rules  not  at  all  alike.  But, 
our  common  concerns  are  not  managed  as  they  fhould 
be,  when  religion  is  not  the  principle  from  which  we 
attend  to  them.  The  plowing  of  the  wicked  is  fin. — 
The  w'ork  to  be  done  in  the  Lord’s  vineyard,  is  perform- 
ed by  every  clafs  of  men,  and  by  each  individual,  fo  far 
as  the  objefr  is  the  glory  of  God,  the  good  of  Zion,  the 
peace  of  the  foul.  Religion  is  of  fuch  a nature,  that  it 
caiily  incorporates  itfelf  with  all  our  affairs,  fo  far  as  they 
are  lawful.  The  text  could  not  contain  a general 
command,  were  not  all  the  members  of  fociety  allow- 
ed to  be,  like  the  members  of  the  body,  differently  em- 
ployed. 

It  is  then  a ferious  queffion  wfith  us  all,  whether  we 
are  to-day  working  in  the  vineyard,  or  are  ready  to 
obey  the  orders  which  are  given  us  upon  this  fubjefr. — 
It  is  our  duty  to  cultivate  our  own  hearts,  and  to  be 
ourfelves  religious.  And,  if  we  have  religion,  we  Ihall 
wilh  and  endeavor  tofpread  its  bleffings  far  anJ  wide. 

The  remainder  of  this  difeourfe  will  be  more  particu- . 
larly  devoted  to  the  main  objefr  of  our  meeting.  A fo- 
ciety, inffituted  for  the  exprefs  purpofe  of  propogating 
the  gofpel,  muff  be  viewed  as  w'orking  in  the  vineyard  of 
the  Lord,  and  all  thofe  perfons  whom  the  fo  iety  ad- 
dreffes  for  aid,  are  to  be  confidered  as  called  upon  to  be 
fellow-workers  in  this  which  fhould  be  the  labor  of  all. 
Though  religion  upon  a fmall  fcale,  and  upon  a great 
fcale,  has  ever  been,  to  each  perfon,  the  duty  of  the 
pafdng  day  yet,  the  peculiar  circumffances  of  this  period 


t 33  3 

of  time,  prefent  motives  uncommon,  in  number,  and 
weight.  For  the  time  is  come,  thatjudgment  mud  be- 
gin at  the  houfe  of  God  ; and  if  it  firft  begin  at  us, 
what  (hall  the  end  be  of  them  that  obey  not  the  gofpel 
of  God  ! It  feems  to  be  required  of  us  to  know,  in 
fomc  meafure,  the  figns  of  the  times,  that  we  may,  as 
far  as  poffible,  render  our  conduft  conformable. 

All  circumftances  concur  to  make  it  certain,  thdt  thefe 
are  the  latter  days  of  the  world.  The  perilous  times,  of 
which  Paul  gives  fo  particular  a defeription,  in  one  of 
his  letters  to  Timothy,  are  furely  the  times  upon  which 
we  are  fallen.  I fay  furely,  becaufc  though  all  the  evils 
of  which  that  defeription  is  compofed,  have  ever  been  in 
the  world,  fince  fin  has  prevailed,  yet,  they  never  have 
appeared,  in  fuch  a degree,  as  to  diftinguilh  one  age,  or 
portion  of  time,  from  all  others,  until  now.  A paffage 
in  the  revelation  of  St.  John  ought  not  to  be  paffed  un- 
noticed. Wo  to  the  inhabiters  of  the  earth,  and  of  the 
lea  ; for  the  devil  is  come  down  unto  you,  having  great 
wrath,  becaufe  he  knoweth  that  he  hath  but  a Ihort 
time.  Thefe  words  certainly,  refer  to  the  latter  days  ; 
for  they  reprefent  the  devil  as  having  but  a fhort  time 
to  reign  on  the  earth.  Popery  and  Mahometilm,  or  the 
man  of  fin,  and  the  falfe  prophet,  are  furely  going,  ra- 
pidly, to  deftruttion  j and  their  ruin  is  to  be  followed  by 
the  profperity  of  the  church.  Daniel  faw  the  prefent 
time,  and  faid  there  fhould  be  a time  of  trouble,  fuch 
as  never  was  fince  there  was  a nation.  Our  Saviour  has 
Unformed  us,  that  previoufiy  to  his  fecond  coming,  there 
{hall  be  great  tribulation,  fbch  as  was  not  fince  the  be- 
ginning of  the  world. 

A time  of  very  unufual  calamity  isfpoken  of  by  Zeph- 
aniah,  which  is  to  precede,  a little,  the  gathering  in  of 
the  Jews.  The  paflage  is  worthy  the  attention  of  every 
one,  and  it  may  be  found  in  the  laft  chapter,  beginning  at 
the  eighth  verfe.  Therefore,  wait  ye  upon  me,  faith  the 
Lord,  until  the  day  that  I rife  up  to  the  prey  j for  my  de- 
termination is  to  gather  the  nations,  that  I may  affemble 


L 34  } 

the  kingdoms,  to  pour  upon  them  mine  indignation,  ever, 
all  my  fierce  anger  ; for  all  the  earth  lhall  be  devoured 
with  the  fire  of  my  jealoufy.  We  are  to  underffand  this 
paffage  as  pointing,  not  to  the  definition  of  the  globe  on 
which  we  live,  but  to  the  general  diftrefs  and  very  great 
definition  of  its  inhabitants.  Wars  have  from  early  days 
been  carried  on,  but  they  have,  hitherto,  been  confined  to 
particular  parts  of  the  earth.  They  are  to  fpread,  how- 
ever, greatly,  perhaps  univerfally,  at  fome  future  time. 

To  prove  that  this  paffage  cannot  be  applied  to  any 
pafi  period,  let  fome  tilings  which  follow  in  the  chapter 
be  confidered.  Then  will  I turn  to  the  people  a pure  lan- 
guage ; that  they  may  all  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord 
to  ferve  him  with  one  conlent  from  beyond  the  rivers  of 
Ethiopia,  my  fuppliants,  even  the  daughter  of  my  difperf- 
ed  fhall  bring  mine  offering.  In  that  day,  {halt  thou  not 
be  afhamed  for  all  thy  doings,  wherein  thou  luff  tranf- 
greffed  againft  me  ? for  then  I will  take  away  out  of  the 
midff  of  thee  them  that  rejoice  in  thy  pride,  and  thou  (halt 
no  more  be  haughty  bccaufe  of  my  holy  mountain. — 
When  the  earth  fliall  be  devoured  with  the  fire  of  divine 
jealoufy,  then,  or  at  that  time,  the  events  to  which  the 
words  now  cited  apply,  are  to  have  their  exiffence. 

Let  us  notice  the  events  with  their  connexion.  The 
people  are  to  have  a pure  language,  that  they  may  all 
unite  in  worshipping,  the  Lord.  Whether  by  the  people 
is  intended  the  Jews,  or  the  people  of  the  world  at  large. 
Is  not  the  expreffion  quite  intelligible  ? Language  is  pure 
when  it  has  no  vulgar  phrafes,  nor  improper  terms  incor- 
porated with  it,  and  it  is  corrupt  when  it  has  thofe  append- 
ages. To  apply  this  definition  to  religion  is  eafy. 

All  nations  have  fome  divinity,  or  divinities,  whom  they 
profefs  to  adore  and  l'erve.  There  are  many  falie  gods, 
though  but  one  true  God.  The  falfe  gods  are  the  fun, 
the  moon,  the  ox,  the  fnake,  men  departed,  and  other  cre- 
ated obje<ffs.  In  all  inftances  in  which  the  objeft  of 
worfhip  is  a miffaken  one,  the  language  ufed  by  the  wor- 
jQiipper  muff  be  confidered  as  corrupt  language.  The 


[ 35  ] 

true  God  being  fo  totally  unlike  falfe  gods,  every  addrefs 
made  to  a falfe  gcd  mud  be  compofed  of  improper  terms  ; 
for  if  it  was  applied  to  the  true  God,  as  every  devotional 
addrefs  ought  to  be,  its  want  of  pertinence,  and  confequent- 
ly  its  impiety  would  be  vifible.  If  the  ox,  for  indance, 
were  wordlipped,  words  fuited  to  the  character  of  the  ox, 
mud  be  employed.  But  fuch  words  would  not  fuit  the 
chara&cr  of  the  real  Divinity,  confequently  the  language, 
in  its  religious  ufe,  would  be  corrupt.  The  cafe  would  be 
the  fame  with  refpeft  to  any  other  idol.  There  is  not  only  a 
wide  difference  between  idolaters  and  thofe  who  profefsto 
worfhip  the  God  of  heaven,  but  there  is  alfo  between  per* 
for.s]of  the  lad  mentioned  defeription  a great  want  of  agree- 
ment. Mahometans  and  Papids  do  not  entertain  the  fame 
fentiments  with  Lutherans,  and  the  followers  of  Calvin. 
So  great  is  the  difference  among  men,  that  one  who  calls 
himfelf  a worfhipper  of  God,  would  be  totally  unwilling  to 
join  fome  other  perfon  in  his  worfhip,  who  profeffes  to  be 
a worfhipper  of  God  likewife.  Since  this  paffage,  there- 
fore, gives  an  account  of  a harmony  among  worfhippers, 
it  refers  us  to  the  approaching  general  reformation  fpoken 
of  in  prophecy. 

To  what  has  been  here  advanced,  it  may  be  added,  that 
the  prophet  fpcaks  of  the  converfion  of  the  Ethiopians.— 
This  is  an  event  not  yet  accomplifhed.  Some  of  the  Ethi. 
opeans  are  denominated  chridians,  but  the  great  body  of 
them  are  dill  Pagans,  and  appear  as  unlikely  as  any  peo- 
ple upon  earth  to  adopt  a confident  fcheme  of  religion. 

The  Jews  claim  our  attention  next.  Thou  (halt  no 
more  be  haughty  becaufe  of  my  holy  mountain.  This  ex- 
prelTion  denotes  that  the  Jews  fhall  be  diveded  of  their 
national  pride,  and  no  longer  efteem  themfelves  the  only 
people  of  God,  nor  Jerufalem  the  only  place  in  which  men 
ought  to  worfhip.  Their  pride,  their  unbelief,  is  dill 
drong  ; and  the  prophecy  mud,  of  courfe,  be  referred  to 
a future  time. 

But  fhould  it  be  fuppofed,  becaufe  the  perfons  fpoken 

as  bringing  the  offering  of  God  from  beyond  the  rivers 


[ 3^  ] 

of  Ethiopia  are  called  by  God  the  daughter  of  his  difperf- 
ed,  that  the  Jews,  only,  who  are  fcattered  among  the  Ethh 
opeans,  are  intended,  it  might  be  replied,  that  this  fuppo- 
fition,if  admitted,  would  not  alterthe  cafe.  The  prophecy 
mud  refer  to  the  fame  period.  Attend  to  a paffage  of  Paul. 
Blindnefs,  in  part,  is  happened  to  Ifrael  until  the  fulnefs 
of  the  Gentiles  be  come  in,  and  fo  all  Ifrael  (hall  be  faved. 
If  the  Gentiles  are  to  be  gathered  in  before  the  Jews,  as 
the  Apoftle  feems  to  fugged:,  then  the  converfion  of  the 
Jews  is  to  be  the  lafl  event  previous  to  thegeneral  reform- 
ation among  mankind.  Whether  Jews  and  Gentiles 
therefore  araboth  implied  in  the  prophecy,  or  Jews  only, 
the  prophecy  is,  certainly,  applicable  to  no  period  except 
the  glorious  reign  of  Chrift  on  earth,  and  that  time  in 
which  fome  immediate,  and  mighty  preparations  fhall  be 
made  for  its  eftablifhment. 

Though  it  is  not  for  us  to  know  the  times,  and  the  fea- 
fons,  which  the  Father  hath  put  in  his  own  power,  it  does 
appear,  from  various  circumftances,  that  the  world  is  fall 
approaching  to  a date  of  readinefs  for  the  fulfilment  of 
this  prophecy.  To  the  wickednefs  of  the  prefent  age  let 
the  improvement  of  a few  years  be  added,  and  what  fober 
mind  would  not  expeft  God  to  vifit  the  world  in  his  heav- 
ier judgments.  War  jsfpreading- — infidelity  grows  more 
and  more  barefaced.  Formerly,  thofe  who  attacked  the 
chriftian  religion,  put  on  a fhow'  of  modefty,  and  endeav- 
ored by  fophiflical  reafoningto  undermine  its  foundations. 
But  now  impudence  is  the  chief  weapon,  and  fcoffing  the 
itrong  argument.  You  may  find  perfons  in  our  own  coun- 
try, and  probably  in  every  town,  who  have  fcarcely  advanc- 
ed beyond  their  non-age,  and  who  in  childhood,  liltened 
to  the  fober  and  found  inflru&ion  of  their  parents,  nowr 
entering  as  champions  into  the  field  ol  infidelity,  and  en- 
deavoring to  put  on  the  armor  of  the  lull  grown  combat- 
ant. SoYuccefsfnl  is  fatan  in  the  employment  of  his  enimif- 
faries,  that  their  derifion  profelytes,  many  by  whom  rea- 
soning would  not  be  read,  or  it  read,  would  not  be  un- 
derllood.  To  lofe  all  good  habits,  and  to  forget  ail  thg 


C 37  ] 

ferious  inftru&ion  of  early  life,  is  one  dTential  branch  of 
modern  refinement. 

The  events  of  latter  years  have  baffled  all  human  cab 
culation,  and  the  only  clue  we  have  to  go  by  is  the  word 
of  God,  which  fpeaks  of  thefe  things  and  helps  us  to  trace 
their  general  and  fiual  iffuc. 

Now,  who  that  has  any  benevolence,  who  that  has 
tailed  the  good  w'ord  of  God,  would  not  wifti  to  counter* 
aft  thefe  wide  fpreading  calamities  of  the  world  ! Read 
Daniel’s  lalt  chapter,  in  which  he  mentions  the  calami- 
ties, the  time  of  trouble,  fuch  as,  then,  never  had  been, 
and  you  will  find  a promife,  that  the  people  of  God,  in 
the  midlt  of  all  prevailing  evils,  are  to  be  Itirred  up  to 
unufual  zeal,  and  activity,  in  the  caufe  of  religion  ; and 
that  great  fuccefs  fliall  attend  their  efforts.  Many  £hali 
run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge  fhall  be  increafed.  Many 
fliall  be  purified,  and  made  white,  and  tried.  To  run  to 
and  fro,  is  a phrafe  which  ftrikingly  points  to  that  clafs  of 
men,  now,  called  mifiionaries.  Of  thefe  there  were  to 
be  many!  If  to  purify  men’s  minds,  and  increafe  then- 
knowledge  in  the  moll  important  things,  is  an  objefr  of 
rational  defire,  the  mifiionary  bufinefs  ought  to  be  held 
in  high  eftimation. 

Do  human  records  inform  us  of  any  thing  of  this  kind, 
which  derferves  to  be  compared  with  what  is  now  to  be 
feen  ? Will  any,  but  the  ignorant,  or  the  wilful,  look 
for  the  like,  in  the  deep  laid  policy  of  Jefuitical  impofi- 
tion  ? Every  one,  who  reads  the  fcriptures,  and  gives 
credit  to  them,  mult  acknowlege,  that  God  has  fpoken 
of  a time,  in  which  men,  in  great  numbers,  are  to  be, 
iincerely,  engaged  in  circulating  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth.  From  the  complexion  of  the  whole  affair,  this 
looks  like  the  time,  and  fince  other  predictions  will  ap- 
ply to  no  other  time,  this  mull  be  the  one  intended. 

Three  things,  here,  deferve  to  be  brought  into  view 
with  reference  to  the  affair  now  under  confideration. 

One  is  the  number  of  perfons,  who-prefent  themlelves 
io  go  on  the  arduous,  and  felf-denying  mifiionary  work. 


[ 3§  ] 

We  are  all,  by  nature,  difpofed  to  feek  the  bed  accom- 
modations j and  efpecially  when  nothing  is  to  be  gained 
by  putting  up  with  inconveniences.  The  new  fettlements 
of  our  country,  with  their  thatched  cottages,  and  homely 
diet,  prefent  formidable  obdacles  to  the  fluggifh  mind. 
How  much  more  difcouraging  is  the  wildernefs,  where 
wigwams  are  the  only  flielter,  and  where  po  human  crea- 
tures are  to  be  feen,  but  bloody  favages  ! 

Another  thing  to  be  remembered  is  the  generous  fup- 
port  which  has  been  afforded,  to  carry  op  this  work.  God 
has  here  proved,  that  the  filver,  and  the  gold,  are  his  own. 
Is  any  Miffionary  Society  cramped,  by  means  of  (lender 
contributions  ? Twelve  perfons,  have  contributed  to 
another  fociety  in  this  date,  I think,  more  than  feventeen 
thoufand  and  an  half  of  dollars.  That  the  lovers  of  relig- 
ion fliould  contribute,  according  to  their  ability,  to  for- 
ward fuch  an  undertaking,  would  not  be  thought  drange  j 
but  the  probability  is,  that  perfons  pf  a different  character, 
aid  largely,  by  their  pecuniary  means.  Property,  of  a 
wordly  kind,  is  peculiarly  dear  to  thofe  who  have  nothing 
elfe.  What  power  but  that  of  God  could  prevail  upon 
the  poffeffors  to  part  with  it,  to  be  employed  in  ways  in 
which  their  fouls  take  no  delight ! 

The  lad  thing  to  be  here  adverted  to  is,  the  fpiritnal 
encouragement  which  the  laborers  have  had.  Solicit  at- 
tention upon  political  fubjedls  ; ply  the  mind  with  argu- 
ments ; Ihew  the  error  of  prevailing  opinions,  and  the 
evil  tendency  of  current  practices,  and  prejudice  , meets 
you  impregnable  as  a bulwark  ! Yet  the  triumphant 
crofs  makes  its  way  through  the  thickeft  obdacles,  quell- 
ing the  rage  of  party  rancor.  Thofe  who  have  gone  with 
the  Savior’s  meffages  have,  generally,  had  a welcome 
reception,  as  may  be  feen  in  their  own  reports.  The 
preachers  of  the  gofpel,  who  have  been  fent  out,  have 
commended  themfelves  to  every  man’s  confcience  j or,  to 
fpeak  dri<dly,  have  been  favorably  received,  by  molt  of 
thofe  whom  they  have  addreffed.  Mud  not  the  mouths 
of  even  cavillers  be  dopped,  when  the  herald  of  the 


[ 39  } 

truth  proclaims  : I tender  you  my  Cervices,  alkrng  no  xc- 
ward  of  you;  anJ  if  you  are  in  want  of  biblcs,  or 
other  religious  books,  for  yourfelves,  or  your  families,  I 
have  them  for  you,  and  you  are  welcome  to  them  ! 

We  will  now  draw  this  difeourfe  to  a dole  with  a few 
words  of  refteftion.  Let  us  endeavor  to  have  more  re- 
gard and  affedion  for  God  ! Behold  what  manner  of 
love  the  father  hath  bellowed  upon  us,  that  we  fhould  be 
called  the  fons  of  God.  This  name  is  offered  to  us  all. 
Since  God  has  done,  and  is  doing  fo  much  for  us,  can  we 
deny  him  any  fervices  of  which  we  are  capable ! Who 
might  not  (pare,  without  injury  to  himfelf,  fome- 
thing  from  his  (lore  ? Let  perfons,  of  both  fexes,  look  at 
their  tables,  their  furniture,  and  their  drefs,  and  fee- 
whether  extravagance  is  fo  ornamental,  or  fo  comfortable 
to  them,  as  alms  would  be,  beftowed  on  the  needy  ; 
whether  the  mercies  of  God  trailed  in  the  dirt,  or  nfed  in 
any  ftinilar  way,  are  fo  employed  as  to  anl'wer  the  delign 
of  the  original  donor  ! 

Let  us  all  confider  that  we  ought  to  work  in  the  vine- 
yard, that  as  rational,  dying,  and  accountable  creatures, 
we  can  have  nothing  of  fo  much  importance  to  attend  to, 
as  religion,  the  only  real,  and  enduring  good,  for  our- 
felves,  and  our  fellow-men. 

* To-day  is  the  time  alfo  for  our  labors.  Let  us  remem- 
ber it.  The  propofal  is  now  made  to  us,  to  join  in  the 
dignified,  the  animating,  the  joyful,  bufinefs  of  carrying, 
or  fending  the  gofpel  to  others.  If  we  rejeft  the  propo- 
fal,  other  hands  will  do  the  work,  for  the  earth  {hall  be 
full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord.  The  Man  of  fm  fhali 
perifh,  the  falfe  Prophet  {hall  be  covered  with  confufion  * 
and  all  the  abominations  of  the  world  {hall  ceafe.  The 
wildernefs  (hall  become  the  garden  of  God.  Where  ti* 
gers  now  growl,  the  fabbath-bell  {hall  ring.  Where  fa- 
vages  more  unfeeling  than  tigers,  now  dance  around  the 
expiring  viftim,  religious  aflemblies  {hall  meet,  and  bring 
the  facrifice  of  a broken  heart  to  the  altar. 

Our  charity  may  find  fuflicient  exercife,  for  the  prefent* 


t 40  J 

perhaps,  in  the  new-fettlements  of  our  own  country. 
However,  let  us  look  for  opportunities  to  do  good,  and 
improve  fuch,  as  in  the  courfe  of  providence  are  prefented. 

Glorious  things  are  fpoken  of  thee,  O City  of  God  ! 
The  chriftian  exults  in  the  promifes  refpe&ing  the  church, 
and  it  is  in  vain  for  any  one  to  oppofe  their  fufillment.  Let 
us  all  join  in  the  labors  of  the  vineyard,  for  the  owner  will 
come  at  the  appointed  time,  and  when  he  comes  he  will 
reward  every  man  according  to  his  works.  Let  us  l'o 
employ  ourfelves,  that  we  {hall  be  difpofed  to  fay  ; Even 
fo  come  Lord  Jefus  ! and  not ; Art  thou  come  to  torment 
us  before  the  time  ! Let  us  rejoice  as  though  we  rejoic- 
ed not,  let  us  buy  as  though  we  poflefled  not,  let  us  ufe 
this  world  as  cot  abufing  it  ! 


■ ..T3.T.S1  it  ;:j. 

arh  ni  if'  [ o’  ,zu 
.nnfyi ~r.->  .0  ffonih: 
: 


iicdl  in  nxlfl  or 


1 « no  finco  ri:i 


IrrT* 


tshiT  .o.oii 

•cl  : 


olam  v.  on  'i  f.’i 


iioJ  0 


y..;u 


